Yahoo News – Marcos hits Aquino for AFP demoralization

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has no one to blame but himself, said Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in reaction to the reported demoralization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Marcos criticized the president’s governance style in a statement Wednesday saying that Aquino, AFP’s commander-in-chief, does not understand his responsibilities towards the soldiers.

“Gaya ng sinabi ko, ang presidente na siyang namumuno sa Malacañang ay hindi tunay na lider (Like I said, the president holding office in Malacañang is not a true leader.) All this trouble is his own doing and he has no one to blame but himself,” the senator said.

It has been reported that the death of 19 soldiers in a clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan last week has brought down the morale of the AFP although the troops would not talk about it.

“Noynoy has only himself to blame for whatever ill feelings these brave soldiers have towards him because they feel that not only is he not supporting and leading them but treats them with disdain and arrogance,” Marcos said.

However, the Palace has recently dismissed reports that there is massive demoralization in the army.

Marcos, chair of the Senate committee on local government, further stressed that culprits must be made answerable for the deaths of the soldiers.

“Our soldiers are being killed; we must avenge the murder of our military men decisively, and as swiftly as possible,” he added.

Aquino has earlier stated that instead of an all-out war against MILF, the government will pursue an all-out justice.